Van Norman must have liked what she saw from her son at the combine. Beckham ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds -- the same time as Clemson's Sammy Watkins, who is projected as the draft's top receiver.

Beckham's time was sixth out of the 57 receivers who ran overall, and he also was extraordinary in the receiver drills. He credited his offensive coordinator, longtime NFL coach Cam Cameron, for helping to refine his game.

His all-around performance made him one of the combine's biggest winners, and improved his stock from a first/second-round tweener to solidly in the first round.

"Beckham certainly helped himself with his speed, his smoothness," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "His route running is really, really good and I know the NFL people love him."

The Detroit Lions interviewed Beckham at the combine, though they might not have a chance to get him. Watkins and Texas A&M's Mike Evans are the best options with the club's 10th overall pick, and Beckham would be a reach at that point.

But he probably won't survive until Detroit is back on the clock at No. 45, either.

Beckham has elevated himself into the discussion to be the third receiver off the board, along with USC's Marqise Lee and speedy Oregon State wideout Brandin Cooks. And that is saying something in this extraordinary receiver draft class.

"It's crazy to be in a class like this and have all these receivers out there. Sammy Watkins, Marqise Lee, Brandin Cooks, Evans, all these guys," Beckham said. "I'd definitely say I'm up there with one of the best. It all depends on what a team needs, and what team likes you. It's really on them."

Beckham stands 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, making him the quintessential speedy slot receiver. He has the production to back it, too, after hauling in 59 passes for 1,152 yards last season in the vaunted SEC.

"I'm a guy who's going to take the top of a defense and use my speed as my strength," he said.

Beckham backed up his talk at the combine, and is going to be one of the draft's hottest names in the weeks to come. But now he must deal with another challenger.

His mother, you see, believes she can beat Beckham in a mile run and has bet him to a race now that the combine is over. He has to get her nails done if he loses.